IER MRO Industries, the maintenance business of industrial gas turbine specialist International Energy Resources, has started construction on its planned commercial narrowbody engine MRO facility in Dubai.
Earlier this week, the company announced the appointment of Dubai-based design and build specialist Group AMANA to oversee the construction of MRO Four, the first building slated to open at the new complex in late 2026. Located at Dubai South, the start of construction is the first phase of IER MRO’s wider 1.4 million-ft.2 development.
Announced in 2024, the facility will initially focus on CFM International CFM56-7B and Leap-1A and -1B engine programs. The company plans to eventually add International Aero Engines V2500 repair capabilities. The engine shop has been designed to combine engine and module repair and overhaul with AI-enabled operations, robotics, digital twin technology, advanced manufacturing and integrated digital systems.
Once fully operational, the engine shop is expected to have capacity for up to 550 engine shop visits or approximately 2,000 major engine module overhauls annually. Heavier workscopes outside of hospital visits would likely start from 2034, IER MRO projects.
The facility will also offer engine testing, with a twin test cell capable of conducting more than 1,000 engine tests annually, plus technical training through a designated academy. The test facility is scheduled to open sometime in 2027.
Longer term, IER MRO is weighing up possible expansions across advanced manufacturing, component engineering, parts manufacturer approval development and adding capabilities to support more engines, such as the GE Aerospace GEnx.
Last year, IER Chairman and CEO Larry Howie told Aviation Week that total investment in the project had gone up from $800 million to around $1 billion in total. The company plans to employ 400-450 people at the site. Training is already underway for the new venture at the company’s existing site at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone.
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